"New Beginning" for Entertainment District Development and Safety WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones Richmond Police Chief Brian Norwood WHAT: Meeting with Shockoe Bottom Merchants WHEN: 5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2009 WHERE: Old City Bar - 1548 East Main Street BACKGROUND: A public disturbance recently took place at Toad's Place in Shockoe Bottom wherein all city police units available were called to the scene. Discussions have been underway regarding the incident and past events related to night life in Shockoe Bottom. Mayor Jones will discuss with merchants issues including: 1) How do we ensure a vibrant nightlife, which is important for tourism and business strength, while providing a safe and secure environment? 2) What is the level of expectation with regard to patron behavior? 3) Is there clarity about police enforcement guidelines? 4) How can we all work together to prevent future problems? Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 64...

Announces "New Beginning" Toward Regional Cooperation Mayor Dwight C. Jones, in a strategic effort to generate regional cooperation, made his first county visit today, meeting with the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. "I have made several announcements in my first few weeks in office about New Beginnings for the City and for my administration, and I want this visit to serve as a representation of my commitment to a New Beginning of closer working relationships with the City's regional partners," said Mayor Jones. Education was underscored as a priority. Mayor Jones is particularly interested in working together to address common challenges that all school districts face, like how to teach children in their tumultuous middle-school years. The aging infrastructure that the area must deal with was highlighted and the suggestion was made that perhaps there are ways the region can work together on projects that are eligible for the President's econom...

The City of Richmond is preparing for the onset of anticipated federal funds as the economic stimulus legislation, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, has been approved in both chambers of the United States Congress. Now that a version of the plan has passed both the House and Senate, a final compromise can be crafted and is expected to become law early next week. The plan is designed to create jobs, jumpstart growth and lay the foundation for future economic growth. Cities and localities across the country have begun to identify "shovel-ready" projects that can qualify for the funds when they become available. Mayor Dwight Jones and city officials have identified as many as 38 projects that may be eligible for such funding. The city also plans to submit its list of projects to the newly launched website being hosted by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, which is designed to collect potential funding ideas. "We're ready to move forward on many projects that...

WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones City Council President Kathy Graziano Pres Kabacoff, co-founder and co-chairman of HRI Properties Brian McGhee, general manager, Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown WHAT: Ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown hotel in the historic Miller & Rhoads building WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 12, 2009 WHERE: 501 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 BACKGROUND: The opening of the 250-room Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown is a part of the restoration of the historic Miller & Rhoads building that also includes 133 condominium units and 20,000 square feet of retail space. Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

WHO: Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones City Council President Kathy Graziano City Council Vice President Ellen Robertson Sidney Barthelemy (former mayor of News Orleans) Lionel Collins of HRI Properties. WHAT: Tour of the Miller & Rhoads historic rehabilitation project taking place between Broad, Grace, 5th and 6th Streets in Downtown Richmond. WHEN: Friday, February 6, 2009 10 a.m. WHERE: 501 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23129 BACKGROUND: After more than two years of construction, the former Miller & Rhoads department store will open this month in Downtown Richmond as a 250-room hotel with 21,000 square feet of restaurant/retail space and 200 parking spaces. The Miller & Rhoads building dates to 1888, and many of the original windows, marble or wood floors have been preserved. The renovation has been led by New Orleans-bas ed Historic Restoration Properties, owner ...

The City of Richmond, in partnership with the County of York, Va., recently pioneered the pilot and development of a new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard to enhance the electronic data exchange between alarm monitoring companies and 911 centers. This is the first time that the City of Richmond has pioneered an American National Standard. The standard was subsequently approved by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), and allows alarm companies that monitor burglar, hold-up, fire, and medical alarms to bypass calling 911 centers via telephone to deliver the notice of an alarm signal. Rather, this data will be delivered to the 911 centers electronically, resulting in a two to three minute reduction in processing and response time by police, fire, and emergency medical first responders. This reduced response time will likely increase the speed and efficiency of apprehending criminals, extinguishing fires, and saving lives. “This standard w...

WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones Acting CAO Chris Beschler Director of Community Development Rachel Flynn WHAT: A “New Beginning” announcement to increase efficiency and excellence in City Government with communication, cooperation, and collaboration. WHEN: 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 WHERE: City Hall Second Floor Large Conference Room 900 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 BACKGROUND: In keeping with his pledge to “Stand Up for Efficiency and Excellence,” Mayor Jones announces his fourth “New Beginning” to chart the course for his administration. Contact: Michael Wallace, (804) 646-2772